Container closure and combination



A ril 18, 1967 F. WHEATON ETAL 3,314,565

CONTAINER CLOSURE AND COMBINATION Filed Feb. 11, 1964 INVENT Rs.S'mwarJ/(a WZQQP ATTORNEY 3,314,565 (IONTAINER CLQSURE AND COMBHNATIUNHerbert F. Wheaten, Summit, and tanley .l. Koll, Keaneburg, Ni,assignors to American Flange dz Manufacturing (10. Inc, New York, N.Y.,a corporation of Delaware Filed Feb. 11, 1964, Ser. No. 344,131 1 Claim.(Cl. 2ll546) This invention relates to closure caps for containeropenings and is particularly concerned with such caps formed oflightweight metal, which while capable of being fixedly applied foreffectively closing and sealing the openings of bottles, jars, cans andthe like are nevertheless easily and safely destructible for handremoval without the use of tools.

This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No.325,817, filed Nov. 25, 1963, now Patent No. 3,258,149, in the names ofHerbert F. Wheaton and Stanley J. K011 and entitled, Closure Cap andMethod of Manufacture, wherein there is disclosed an invention inclosure caps and the method of making the same which caps, thougheffectively sealing the openings of bottles, jars, cans and the likeagainst considerable pressure, may be readily and safely removed bydestroying them by hand action in the manner provided for and withoutthe use of any tools. Large numbers of such caps, embodying thatinvention, have been manufactured and tested and though the resultsthereof have been highly satisfactory and the invention has added asubstantial step forward in the art, there is nevertheless room forimprovement on it. That step is added by the subject of the instantinvention.

In the closing and sealing of containers such as hot tles, jars and canswith bottle type finishes, particularly where those containers carrycommodities under pressure and are closed by a closure cap made out oflightweight metallic sheet material such as aluminum, a close structurebalance must be maintained in the cap in order to provide effectivescalability while nevertheless enabling removal and destruction of themthrough hand gripping and tearing along a tear strip. To be fullyeffective, the material and the forming and securing of it must be suchthat the customer can grasp the tearing ear between his fingers anddestroy the cap by tearing along the scores without having to bepreviously educated to follow any particular motion. The scoring andforming of the cap must be such that this hand tearing can be easilycommenced and proceeded with in uniform easy manner but the cap must,nevertheless be devoid of fractures in the score formed by cupping thecap from the scored blank or drawing the cap skirt inwardly and forcingit downwardly in the course of applying it to a bottle. Practically allof these characteristics have been introduced into the cap of theaforesaid application Ser. No. 325,817, but experience in the removingof large numbers of them, after they have been fully secured to bottles,has brought out that in certain instances an unexpected resistance hasto be overcome to commence the tearing. This might be just enough todiscourage some customers who, on having a little difficulty in theirfirst effort to remove the cap, might condemn it forever. Oninvestigation it has been found that in the forming of the cap blank ofthe aforesaid parent application, the edge notch provided on either sideof the tearing ear, though specially provided for assisting in assuringperformance of the inconsistent functions of tight securing and readyremoval, seems to have imparted a characteristic to the finished capwhich, in certain instances, provided a little hindrance to removal.

It is accordingly the province of the instant invention to eliminatesuch hindrance while, at the same time, retaining the strong securingcharacteristics of the aforesaid 3,314,565 Patented Apr. 18, 1967 cap.Also a slight unsightliness of appearance introduced by the hinderingfactor just mentioned has also been removed. Though these improvementshave been achieved by incorporating a feature that might at first blushbe thought to be a weakening one, it has advantageously been found thatno such weakness occurs.

It is accordingly a principal object of the invention to improve uponthe rem-oval characteristics of hand actuated destructible capseals.

Another object is to provide such improvement in removability withoutweakening the securing effect.

A further object is to provide for such removability, with effectivesecuring, while enhancing the appearance of the secured cap.

Further and more detailed objects will in part be obvious and in part bepointed out as the description of the invention, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawing proceeds.

In that drawing:

FIG. 1 is a plan showing of a fiat cap blank notched and scored inaccordance with the invention disclosed in parent application Serial No.328,817.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a cap, formed from the blank of FIG. 1,applied to a container neck.

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary plan View of the flat cap blankof the invention showing the novel notch configuration embodied therein.

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary section of a scored portion ofthe finished cap skirt as viewed intoriorly thereof.

FIG. 5 is a part sectional, part elevational view of a cap, inaccordance with invention, in place on a container neck but in unsealedcondition.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view similar to FIG. 5 of the cap taken afterthe cap has been sealed in place on the container neck.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but utilizing straight scoring.

Considering first the general aspects of the closure cap of theinvention as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the cap generally indicated at 1comprises a flat disc-like top 2 surrounded by a depending skirt 3 withthe juncture of the top and skirt indicated at 4. The skirt 3 terminatesin a downwardly facing free edge 5, which edge except for the positionwhere the gripping ear, generally indicated at 6, is located. The ear 6extends downwardly for a short distance at 7 forming a continuation ofthe skirt then turns generally radially outwardly away from the capskirt in a slight outward and downward incline. The ear 6 is providedwith side edges 8 and 9 which taper slightly inwardly towards each otherthroughout their extent from the free edge of the skirt to the roundedend portion 10.

The surface of the cap .1 is provided with a pair of line-like weakenedsections, such as formed by either internal or external scores,whichever is desired. These scores extend for a substantial portion ofthe distance across the cap top and have portions 111 and 12 as seen inFIGS. 3 and 5 which extend across the: juncture 4 of the top and skirtand then, in substantially parallel relationship, down the skirt 3 at 13and 14. Accordingly a tear strip 15 is formed as a continuation of theear 6, which strip extends across the cap occupying that space lyingbetween the score lines.

Turning now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a flat cap blank 20 and an applied cap 21formed therefrom are shown embodying the improvements disclosed inapplication Ser. No. 325,817. These improvements include providing afiat cap blank 20 with a pair of score lines having portions 22 and 23extending substantially across the cap top area 2'4, portions 25 and 26which extend across the line of in 2-7 befw e'dop'area 24 and thesurrounding skirt--area-60,-and portions 28 and 29 extending'across thearea 30 to form the cap-skirt portion. In this form of scoring it can beseen that the score portions 25 and 26' aretaligned:tavitheth"sideaedges- -31 iand =32 ot '-"the "ear hen r': they: fdiivergtoutwardly away from each- :other .iwit the portions28.?andI29iter-minatir1ga:short distance, indicated at 34% tand I'SS Krespectively, 'ifrom: the: base of the riotcheszii'fizand 37: f2 I 1 Inthe formin g i-ofz rca out fethezfiat: blank '20, evenulvvithout sthe-step'.o securing i 'n' place on albottle nee-k,the:tmetalecof,lthezskirtftportion -30ui's rather severely worked byprogressively reducing.itsr'diameter:trom the linerzZ'Z outcto-theblankperiphery as the portion iitl is moved .Jintoalateralspositional? uThefiare'd' score portions Z SZ-Vaird c19a-arel moved :inwardlyi toward"each other so soizastztq 'flaecomegsubstantially parallel" and inalignment with the sides 31 and 32 of the ear 3 3. The provision ocfothenotches 36* and 3 '7esrvesl several purposes. -First they)-provideza-rplaceintoiwhich 'the metal'can flow as its diameter'lsis I:reducedi Thisi zeliininates the I reaction of crowding which wouldotherwise take place withconsequent likelihood of weakeningthegrntal'behind:'the sco'resr iterrninating: thegrrotch'es in abruptpointed metal: -pa'r'ts r: :and .1 39, kit -was :2 intended thatn whenthe notches closed vtipikiuringthe skir't forming operation, barely:perce'l'ptible alinost' completely"closed slitsww'o'uld beformedpextendingsto the freeiedge of the skirt on either sideoftstheagear: JtT-lliSiWDl'kS'iWiillf and the shortunprescoredspontions34 and 35 are protectedagainstfracttire though being the onezportion-ofthe'metali-left to r pucker they areithus weakenedfi lihey dohowever protect their scores, against: fracturingfat I theiricorrimencement' through accidental movement of the ear whilenotfintroducingla blookw'ofii-anynsubstance :against intend'ed tearingaway of theistriptentendingifrornrltheatearingLear; e l l t I x Whenhowever such a lcupziisuapplidnto. a.:bottle,.as seen: iniFIG? 2,ihyfrolling :1 r fspinning the-cap skirt linwardlyint-o1;sealingeengagernent withcthezbottle neck, a problem is created.This securing calls 'forturtherzreductionaofitheidiameter' of the'previoiislyzformed skirt Jwhose notches 36 and 37 have already beenfully closed :up. Eurtheminward movement ofathepkir t 30l'thenonlycserves r, the;:metal onto*the 'tear indicated; at '40 and Min"1 0 vextentwthis overlappingris caused by-, thezpresence zio'f thepointed parts 38 and 39.

'oveplapping asldanibe readily rseenj from the showingcin-aFlGl r2, ainterferes with the *easy commencement of fthel tearin iactionbynmakiugit,;-necessary totfirst pull theizear l33elaterallyiaway;;from-;th'ebottle'a sufi icient-iamount toitreeritlfromtheoverlap before :one cancommence tefaringvalorrgnherscorezlines. The lateral .out+ ward pulling'omthe siearvicauses-.-lthe* metal flaps 40 a'nd 4a to=sticklout and to;present-av possiblegsource ;of injury if the removedncap iskleftlying;around.-,,

To remedy the above described problem, .the cap A1 formed inacfcordancenwithithe inventionsis,provided:with anuew rflhdiiIOVfilnotchgeonfiguration as, :shown ;in the flat; lankfillqillustratedjin-1316.14.57; The: blank ;50isShOWIIE'tifOIiPHITPQSdSOfi illustration as @havin g i the 1' same typeof flaredscoring 'mparted thereto as 'employ'edin the eapflofiFrIGSg liandz =whichgincl'udes SCOIQgliIlBSiQXtllding acr.ossthe;.cap.=topoverkthe j-uneturje 4 between the top-randskirnnuti; crossthe}, skirt 3min iportions -13 and llutandslte'rminatin -in;.;spacedrelationship; indicated attil and '52respectively firom the notches 53nan d 54. Of primary importance in thefshowing of FIGJlis theparticular:cenfigurationgi; r1 toi-it e' notchesr fifand 'sat. speaifiealvmthe -notc are; form d r pec e y wi h ndgi inuerl i e p t o 5 esne i esi r esrsrand rt me n it... H r

radiused portions 61 and 62. More specifically the blend radius ofcurvature to produce the curves 61-and 62 From the showings of thefinished cap the invention in FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be appreciated thatdurin'gfthe drawing of the skirt; 3 laterally'away from the top 2, thenotches, only 'onelof which is? shown in FIG. 4, become slits whichremain partially open in the portion 'theieofapprbaching: -the skirtedgeS. 1 Thus the' upper portion of each notchis closed up into 7 acompletely closed slit as indicated aeesgrmn, in'the idownward verticalextent of the slit towards-"the. skirt edge-i it'opens 111p in thecurve-:64 extending away from the in'ner tear strip side. of the: slitindicatedEatLGSr :Thus "a pair "of downwardly extending outwardly flaredopenings 66 arid'67 areformed at the lower edge portions of the-skirt,one at either side of the fear 6.' once the capiis so forrned from theblank; the 'manlifacturing ofit is completedby the application: of thelining 'or gaSketin'gas indicated 311.68.3'" I w llFIG. 5 shows thecompleted cap 1- of the invention seated iii-place on a standardbottletfinish prior-to the securing of {if thereon. are bottle'Yit'lThere shown' is provided, with-a straight upstandingneck'itlteririinating in a dispensing mouth surounded by aanannul'arb'ead '72 having an .upperuface.73, anoutWardly-a-nd downwardlycurvediouter face. 74 and an inwardly and downwardly curved .lowerfacez75. .wFrom this showing it is clearly seen that theica'p skirt 3.extends down't'ozza position .below. the: lower"; face-'75 of;thelbead: .72 with its lower: edgeportion -eXtending: free 50f the neck"71F and being-completely lunsupportedlthereby. 3f 1;

, 'Withthe cap in'thee-EIG; 5 :position, theisecuringiopera- 7 tion iscarried outbybringinglthe bottleiinto positionbein against the bottle;This-fu'rther decreasesth skirt iii ameter, causing an additional,defor'mationand movement ofi-the skirt metal, As the skirt, without any.ba-ckupsupiport, is moved radially inwardly by :the. individuals:spaced rollers,,: wrink1es or undulations jaretformed therein; Thesewrinkles: are ultimately ironed out whenrthe rollers reach the limit oftheir radialztmovement; where'lthey firmly roll the skirt againstathelowerxbead .face' 75 and necky7lof the bottle; However,- theskirtmateri'al making ppgthese wrinkles must go somewhereig-The stillsomewhat open slits"66,-,incr easing tov graduatedextent tdrii tm l ;5.a d 60 i merge duetothe curve 64;, providejust the space that isn'eeded;The resulting formation oithesecured cap is as pictured in; HQ, 6 vyvhere it can be readily seen 't-hattheufiared openings fifiand67,present.in the cap beforethesecuring is effected are now completelyclosed upinto barelyv ipel'tceptible. slits ;-l6; and 17.} There is nooverlapping- Ofllfl'le skirt material with'respect to thee-arand'the?whole skirt and alignedpear portion present a -neat' smooth appearaance. a J e l r.- f." -Going back and summarily considering FIGS. 33,4and 6,-vit oanbe seen that the particular configuration-imparted to lthC,notch in the fiat. blank is such that-each increment ofcurvatureof theroundedportions-ll and 62 provi di ng the curve, 64 provides acorresponding increase in the notch ,width as it approaches theperiphery at. the blade 1;: Thisrinqrea e lQ,;lQiQhi-. Wid h; imfirsatproportion to the subsequent decrease in skirt diameter andcorresponding movement of metal to close up the notch. Thus since thefinal skirt diameter required to elfectively seal the cap onto acontainer is only partially reached when the cap is in the form of FIGS.4 and 5, the slit there shown is only partially closed. When, however,the cap skirt is rolled inwardly about the container neck to its finalminimum diameter, the notch is closed up the remaining amount into thehairline slits of FIG. 6.

Consequently none of the objectionable features found in the cap asshown in FIG. 2 remain. Specifically there are no overlappingprotrusions or flaps in the cap of the invention shown in FIG. 6 toresist the outward movement of the tear strip portion lying between theclosed slits 16 and 17. Also the likelihood of one being injured throughhandling of the cap after its removal, has been eliminated, for not onlyhave the sharp outwardly projecting flaps caused by the pointed portions38 and 39 been eliminated, but those pointed portions have been replacedby curved portions 61 and 62 which retain some of their originalcurvature as indicated at 1% and 19 in FIG. 6. Mos-t importantly,however, is the fact that through the teaching of the invention hereindisclosed a substantial step forward is made toward increasing the easewith which a metal tear-off cap can be removed from a container withoutany corresponding decrease in effectiveness or scalability of theclosure.

FIG. 7 shows an alternative flat cap blank incorporating the improvednotch configuration of the invention. The blank here shown, however,instead of embodying the improved flared scoring of application Ser. No.315,- 817 is provided with a pair of straight parallel score lines, oneof which is shown at 90, extending straight across the skirt portion ofthe blank all the way into the base of the notch at 91. The cap thusformed, even though lacking the improved scoring arrangement shown inconjunction with the cap blank of FIG. 4, still possesses the advantagesoffered by the slits 16 and 17 of FIG. 6.

Though, in the foregoing, a particular form of tearoff closure havingweakened lines for facilitating that tearing has been shown anddescribed, it is to be understood that the invention is not to beconsidered as being limited by the particulars of that showing. Numerousvariations such as in the size and shape of the closure or the containerto which it is applied would become apparent to those skilled in the artand could be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. Also the formation of other score patterns in the metalincluding either inside or outside scoring: and doing so in othermanners would not be considered a departure from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, it is, of course to be understood that theforegoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawingare for illustrative and not for limiting purposes Having described ourinvention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentis:

In closure cap construction, a fiat substantially circular blank adaptedto be formed into a cap having a disclike top portion, a laterallydepending skirt depending from and around said top portion, a pair ofspaced weakened tearing lines in said top and skirt and a tearing earextending outwardly away from the lower edge of said skirt formed as anintegral extension of that portion of said cap skirt lying between saidweakened lines, said blank comprising an annular peripheral cap skirtportion, an inner circular cap top portion, a flat tearing ear havingexposed side edges extending radially outwardly from a peripheral edgeportion of said blank, a pair of weakened lines extending at least partway across said top portion and continuing outwardly into said skirtportion, said weakened lines terminating radially inwardly of said blankperiphery on either side of said ear, and a pair of radially inwardlyextending notches formed in the periphery of said blank on either sideof said ear, said blank periphery forming a circular line interrupted bysaid ear and notches, each of said notches having an inner side, anouter side and a concavely curved base connecting said inner and outersides, the side edges of said ear forming tangent continuations of thecurved base of said notches at the inner sides thereof, the outer sidesof said notches connected to said circular blank periphery by a smoothconvex curve and the radius of said smooth convex curve is at leastone-half as great as the radius of curvature of the base of said notch.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,052,382 2/1913Schrnitt 215-46 2,743,033 4/1956 Andersen 220-54 3,130,056 4/1964 Tayloret a1.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner. FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Examiner. J'.B. MARBERT, Assistant Examiner.

